Animal odor filtration unit

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a unit for eliminating offensive odors. An electrostatic filter assembly embodiment of the present invention includes a casing, a substantially sheer electrostatic filter sheet, and a substantially silent blower. A filtered animal litter box embodiment of the present invention includes an enclosure, a filter assembly, a conduit, a filter cartridge, and a substantially silent blower. A kit of parts having components of the filtered animal box is also contemplated.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of animal odor control andmore specifically to the field of filtering cat-related bathroom odors.

BACKGROUND

Cat urine and feces have a pungent odor capable of spreading many metersbeyond the confines of a traditional litter box. The litter box iscurrently the most prominent means of controlling cat-related odors. Acat litter box allows a homeowner to centralize all of the offensive catodor in one location and mask the causes of those odors with a fillablemedium. The prevailing cat litter box medium is made of clay, which isdusty and pebbly. Clay-based litter comes in one of two varietiestraditional litter and clumping litter.

Traditional clay cat litter has existed since about the 1950's and isone of the oldest types of commercial cat litter. Traditional cat litterought to be sifted every day in search of deposits and should becompletely replaced monthly. Clumping litter arrived commercially laterthan traditional cat litter and had one distinct advantage: wetparticles would “clump” together to form a solid mass, which is simpleto scoop away. There is not a need to replace an entire box of clumpingcat litter as there is with traditional cat litter; instead, onereplacing clumping litter would need to remove only the solid masses,which are the only portions of the litter contacted by cat urine, etc.

With either type of cat litter, traditional or clumping, there is asignificant amount of time between feline deposits and deposit removal.Unfortunately, the fragrance of deposits within a cat litter box offendsthe typical human's nose. Numerous methods have been devised to alterthe smell of cat litter boxes, including the addition of pleasantfragrances to the cat litter. Urine and fecal smells are hard to mask;such fragrance additives rarely solve the odor problem. The chemicalcomponents of feces and urine make disguising their odor extremelychallenging.

The components of feces include organic substances that comprise otherelements particularly offensive to the human sense of smell. Theseelements could range from the particularly pungent Sulfur, to the moretame-smelling Nitrogen and Phosphorous. Feces also includes butylmercaptan, which is the primary component of the skunk odor. Urinecomponents include urea and ammonium, both of which eventually transforminto ammonia when exposed to the atmosphere. The formidable catalogue ofpungent components of cat bathroom deposits demonstrates the lowlikelihood of successfully masking cat bathroom deposits by simplyadding fragrances.

Successfully combating cat deposit odor ought to involve methods andstructure beyond innovation in litter box filler material. A promisingmeans to control animal odor involves locating filtration meansproximate to animal deposit enclosures. Multiple animal containmentdesigns exist that attempt to mask animal odors using odor filtration,odor evacuation, and the like. Information relevant to attempts toaddress these problems can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,227,147;5,738,040; 5,655,478; 5,564,364; 5,315,964; 5,307,761; 5,140,948;5,134,972; and 5,044,325. However, each one of these references suffersfrom one or more of the following disadvantages: inability to ventilateodors; inability to effectively ventilate odors; cat-intimidatingnoisiness; inability to filter odor; inability to effectively filterodors; required use of rapidly expendable, odor-absorbing material,inflexible gaseous transport; reliance on large, cumbersome filters; andthe like. Therefore, there is a need for a method and device thateffectively filters animal odors in a substantially quiet manner and iscapable of using manageable, inexpensive filters.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a unit for eliminating offensiveodors. An electrostatic filter assembly embodiment of the presentinvention includes a casing, a substantially sheer electrostatic filtersheet, and a substantially silent blower. The casing of theelectrostatic filter assembly has an odor inlet and an exhaust. The odorinlet is an opening that allows gases from the environment surroundingthe electrostatic filter assembly inside the electrostatic filterassembly. The exhaust is an opening that allows gases that have passedthrough the substantially sheer electrostatic filter sheet to return tothe environment from which they first arrived.

The substantially sheer electrostatic filter sheet is located within thecasing and contacts gas flowing from the odor inlet to the exhaust. Thesubstantially sheer electrostatic filter sheet is configured to beremoved and placed by a user in the casing. The blower of the presentinvention operates at a decibel level that does not offend the oftenfinicky emotions of the typical cat. The blower is positioned to urgeair into the odor inlet, through the substantially sheer electrostaticfilter sheet, and then out of the exhaust.

Electrostatic filter assembly embodiments might further include a filtercartridge adapted to hold a substantially sheer electrostatic filtersheet. The filter cartridge can be positioned within the electrostaticfilter assembly and then removed at the whim of a user. Of the myriadstructural possibilities of a filter cartridge for use in theelectrostatic filter assembly, two are preferred: a jointed filtercartridge; and a separable filter cartridge. The jointed filtercartridge has a first filter panel and a second filter panel; each isconnected to the other by a hinge that allows joint-like motion. Theseparable filter cartridge includes a male filter panel that removablyattaches to a female filter panel.

An intended use of the electrostatic filter assembly is to remove animalodor, especially in coordination with an enclosed litter box. Theembodiments of the electrostatic filter assembly might additionallyinclude a conduit capable of attaching to both the odor inlet and anenclosed litter box.

A filtered animal litter box embodiment of the present inventionincludes an enclosure, a filter assembly, a conduit, a filter cartridge,and a substantially silent blower. The enclosure is a covering thatallows an animal to enter and exit, via an animal passage, and leavebathroom deposits within. Versions of the enclosure might include eithera view port and a maintenance port. The enclosure also has an odoroutlet that connects to a conduit. The conduit conducts odors from theenclosure to an odor inlet located on the casing of the filter assembly.

The filter assembly of the filtered animal litter box includes thecasing, the odor inlet, and an exhaust. The odor inlet has an openingthat allows gases conducted from the conduit to enter the filterassembly. The exhaust is an opening that allows gases that have passedthrough the substantially sheer electrostatic filter sheet to return tothe environment from which they first arrived. The preferred filterassembly has a screen covering the exhaust. The filter assembly furtherhas an opening that allows a filter cartridge to rest within the filterassembly and be removed at the convenience of a user. Certainembodiments of the animal litter box filter assembly include a filterassembly positioner, a device to fix the position of the filter assemblyto a household structure.

A substantially silent blower of the filtered animal litter box urgesgas from the enclosure through the exhaust. Although it has been foundthat the best position for the blower is proximate to the exhaust; anyposition capable of fulfilling the function of urging gas from theenclosure through the exhaust will suffice. The preferred blower of allembodiments of the present invention is a fan producing less than tendecibels of sound.

The preferred filtered animal litter box is capable of using multipletypes of sheet filters. It is preferred that a sheet filter bear anelectrostatic charge. The preferred electrostatically charged filter isa substantially sheer electrostatic filter sheet.

The filter cartridge of the filtered animal litter box is constructed toaccept a sheet filter and then allow a user to remove the sheet filterat the user's convenience. The preferred filtered animal litter boxfilter cartridge uses either the jointed filter cartridge design,separable filter cartridge design, or the slide-fit filter cartridgedesign. The slide-fit filter cartridge includes a bay that allows asheet filter to simply slide into the filter.

An additional embodiment of the present invention to includes a kit ofparts for a filtered animal litter box having the enclosure, the filterassembly, the conduit, the filter cartridge, and the substantiallysilent blower. The kit could additionally include the filter assemblypositioner or any other component of the present invention disclosedherein.

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present invention to present aeconomical alternative to filter offensive odors from the air.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to minimize one of thechief negative aspects of pet ownership: offensive pet smells.

It is a still further aspect of the present invention to present afilter capable of lengthy use.

It is a still further aspect of the present invention to present afiltration unit capable of utilizing filters that occupy minimal space.

It is a still further aspect of the present invention to present afiltration unit capable of flexible positioning that allows distance tobe placed between the filter and any enclosures to which the filtermight connect.

It is a still further aspect of the present invention to have asubstantially silent filtration system that is sonically friendly topets.

These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive.Additionally, some aspects may apply to particular versions orembodiments, but not other versions or embodiments. Other features,aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readilyapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunctionwith the following description, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of an electrostatic filterassembly.

FIG. 2 is a isometric view of an embodiment of the electrostatic filterassembly.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the electrostatic filterassembly showing internal components.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C respectively include a perspective, orthogonal, andorthogonal view of an embodiment of a jointed filter cartridge.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C respectively include a perspective, orthogonal, andperspective view of an embodiment of a separable filter cartridge.

FIGS. 6 a and 6B are perspective views of an embodiment of a slide-fitfilter cartridge.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a filter assembly.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a filtered animal litter box.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a filtered animal litter box kit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an electrostatic filterassembly 12 is shown. The electrostatic filter assembly embodiment 12includes an electrostatic filter sheet 20, a casing 14 with an odorinlet 16 and exhaust 18, and a substantially silent blower 26.

The substantially sheer electrostatic filter sheet 20 of theelectrostatic filter assembly serves as the medium by which offensiveair is purged of contaminants. By substantially sheer, it is meant thatthe filter is essentially a planar entity of minimal thickness. Thepreferred substantially sheer electrostatic filter of the presentinvention is pliable, which allows a user to more easily manipulate thefilter and also allow for creative manufacturing of the internalstructure of the electrostatic filter assembly. A pliable, substantiallysheer electrostatic filter will adapt to a variety of shapes on which itmight be pressed. The substantially sheer electrostatic filter sheetbest achieves its function when positioned within the electrostaticfilter assembly to contact a prominent portion of the air passing fromthe odor inlet 16 to the exhaust 18.

The preferred substantially sheer electrostatic filter is aconventional, commercial dryer sheet. Dryer sheets are substantiallysheer, pliable, electrostatically charged, inexpensive, and generallycontain pleasant scents.

The casing 14 serves as the protective covering for the electrostaticfilter assembly. In fulfilling this purpose the preferred casing isconstructed of a hard material such as wood, plastic, metal, or thelike. The size of the preferred electrostatic filter assemblyembodiments adapted to accept dryer sheets is limited by the size ofconventional, commercial dryer sheets. The dimension of commercial dryersheets are typically on the order of seven inches by nine inches.Versions of the electrostatic filter assembly using dryer sheets couldhave casings adapted to accept portions of dryer sheets or folded dryersheets.

The configuration of the casing should be such that a substantialportion of air is forced to pass through the substantially sheerelectrostatic filter sheet 20 within the casing 14. However, the sizeand width of the conventional, commercial dryer sheets do not influencethe basic embodiment of the electrostatic filter assembly, which cansupport embodiments containing portions of dryer sheets or anysubstantially sheer electrostatic filter sheet.

The casing 14 of the electrostatic filter assembly 12 has an odor inlet16 and an exhaust 18. The preferred casing 12 of the electrostaticfilter assembly is configured so as to orient the electrostatic filterassembly's internal components as shown in FIG. 1: the odor inlet 16that first contacts offensive air, the substantially sheer electrostaticfilter sheet 20 between the odor inlet 16 and the substantially, silentblower 26, and the exhaust 18 located directly proximate to the blower26. The electrostatic filter assembly is not limited to theaforementioned arrangement; any orientation of internal componentsfulfilling the purpose of filtering air will suffice. For example,certain embodiments of the electrostatic filter assembly may positionthe blower immediately proximate to the odor inlet to blow, rather thanpull as in the preferred embodiment, air through the substantially sheerelectrostatic filter sheet and then out via the exhaust.

The odor inlet 16 has an opening that allows gases from the environmentsurrounding the electrostatic filter assembly 12 to enter theelectrostatic filter assembly 12. The exhaust 18 is an opening thatallows gases that have passed through the substantially sheerelectrostatic filter sheet 20 to return to the environment from whichthe gases first arrived. There is no preferred size or shape of eitherthe odor inlet or exhaust; each needs to be merely an opening to allowthe passage of gases, e.g. household air. It is preferred that anyexposed holes of the present invention be sized to prevent human bodyparts, especially fingers, entrance into the interior of theelectrostatic filter assembly. It is preferred that large openings becovered with a vent. FIG. 1 shows a vent 46 protecting the odor inlet16, though versions of the present invention sporting a having a conduitconnecting to the odor inlet need not include a vent.

The blower 26 of all embodiments of the present invention is a devicethat urges air from a selected location to the odor inlet 16 and outthrough the exhaust 18. As previously mentioned, the preferred positionfor the blower in the electrostatic filter assembly 12 is immediatelyproximate to the exhaust 18 and the substantially sheer electrostaticfilter sheet 20, i.e. not between the substantially sheer electrostaticfilter sheet 20 and the odor inlet 16. This preferred positioningorients the blower 26 in a position to contact air that has alreadypassed through the substantially sheer electrostatic filter sheet 20,which prevents particles from rapidly accruing on the blower 26. Theblower 26 is any device capable of urging air through the electrostaticfilter assembly 12.

The preferred substantially silent blower is a computer fan. Computerfans are ideal because they typically are relatively silent, yet operateat relatively powerful speeds. Cats are naturally skittish creatures andare easily frightened by loud noises. The size, speed, and power of ablower will depend upon the needs of the user. It has been found that afan with five fan blades, processing a 150 cubic feet per minuteairflow, operating at 45-50 decibels, achieves that the purpose of thepresent invention, particularly when in fluid communication with anenclosed litter box having the dimensions of a medium size to large sizepet carrier. Computer fans commonly operate at less than thirtydecibels, and the preferred fan of the electrostatic filter assemblyoperates at less than ten decibels.

As shown in FIG. 2, versions of the electrostatic filter assembly 112may additionally include a filter cartridge 22. Although the filtercartridge 22 of the electrostatic filter assembly is structured to holdthe substantially sheer electrostatic filter sheet 20, other embodimentsof the filter cartridge 22 may hold other types of sheet filters. Thefunction of the filter cartridge of the electrostatic filter assembly112 is to position a substantially sheer electrostatic filter sheet 20within the electrostatic filter assembly 112. The preferred casing 14 ofelectrostatic filter assembly embodiments designed to work inconjunction with a filter cartridge 22 includes a slot 44 adapted toaccept the filter cartridge 22. Because the filter cartridge 22 of theelectrostatic filter assembly 112 must be capable of bracing asubstantially sheer electrostatic filter sheet 20, the filter cartridge22 must be constructed of a self-supporting material. It is preferredthat the filter cartridge is constructed of a harder material such asmetal, wood, or plastic. The configuration of the filter cartridge 22 ofthe electrostatic filter assembly can be any structural design thatallows a user to conveniently slip a substantially sheer electrostaticfilter sheet 20 into and out of the filter cartridge 22.

FIG. 3 shows the internal components of the embodiment pictured in FIG.2. The filter cartridge 22 has a preferred location that is positionedbetween the blower 26 and the odor inlet 16. In the pictured embodiment,the odor inlet 16 includes no protective covering, but the exhaust 18does include a vent 46.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A, and 6B show various filter cartridgesof the present invention. Although filter cartridges of theelectrostatic filter assembly configured to accept any type of sheetfilter. A significant trait of all cartridge filters is that they allowa substantial portion of airflow to contact whatever sheet filter isdisclosed within.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show an embodiment of a jointed filter cartridge122. The jointed filter cartridge 122 includes a first filter panel 48and a second filter panel 50. The first filter panel and the secondfilter panel connect by a hinge that allows joint-like motion. As FIG.4C demonstrates, a user need only lift one panel from the other toremove or place a filter within. Jointed filter cartridge embodiments122 of the electrostatic filter assembly would necessarily have panelsdimensioned to position fairly to close to one another, as shown in FIG.4B. Other jointed filter cartridge embodiments would be constructedbased on the dimensions of a predetermined sheet filter.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C show an embodiment of a separable filter cartridge222. The separable filter cartridge includes a male filter panel 52 thatremovably attaches to a female filter panel 54. The male filter panel 52includes various male fittings 56 configured to fasten within femalefittings 58 located upon the female filter panel 58. In embodimentsusing magnets as fittings, the male fittings and female fittings will befor practical purposes indistinguishable. In such magnetic embodiments,the male magnetic fittings will maintain a specific magnetic charge,while the female magnetic fitting—to which the male magnetic fittingwill mate—will have the opposite magnetic charge. Dimensioned to nestlebetween the two panels is the sheet filter, shown as the substantiallysheer electrostatic filter sheet 20. Other separable filter cartridgeembodiments need not have panels dimensioned to position as closely.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a slide-fit filter cartridge 322. The slide fitfilter cartridge 322 includes a substantially hollow bay that isstructured to allow a filter to fit therein, shown here as a sheetfilter 120. A portion of a side of the slide-fit filter cartridge 322should include an opening to allow a sheet filter 120 to slide into thebay of the slide-fit cartridge 322.

The sheet filter, when part of or meant to be used with, the presentinvention is meant to include any filter having a thinness in onedimension relative to the other two dimensions of the filter. The sheetfilter must be capable of filtering particles from the air. Preferredfilter materials may include dense fiberglass or polyester media,pleated media, HEPA, activated carbon, cotton gauze, vegetable fibers,synthetic fibers, charged plastic film or fiber, or any other aircleaners used in the art of air purifying. The term sheet filter, asused in this disclosure, is understood to include substantially sheerelectrostatic filter sheets.

The preferred filter material is electrostatically charged. As airpasses through an electrostatic medium, the medium produces frictionthat creates a natural static charge, i.e. electrostatic charge. Thestatic charge attracts tiny particles to the filter like a magnet. Theseparticles comprise irritants such as dust, dust mites, pollen, fabriclint, tobacco smoke, plant spores, and pet dander and odor.

As shown in FIG. 7, the certain versions of the electrostatic filterassembly 112 further include a conduit 24 attached to the odor inlet 16with a filter assembly coupling end 36. As a significant use of theelectrostatic filter assembly is to remove animal odor, embodiments ofthe present invention should be capable of removing gas from withinenclosed space. The conduit 24 acts as a means for transporting gas,i.e. air, from a foreign source without losing a substantial portion ofthat gas. Transporting gases from one predetermined area to a secondpredetermined area is also termed “fluid communication” within thisdisclosure.

The preferred material for the conduit 24 includes any flexible mediumgenerally used in the construction of pipes, particularly preferred arerubber, flexible PVC pipe, and dryer vent pipes. Rigid pipes may be usedin embodiments of the present invention, but it is an aspect of otherembodiments that the electrostatic filter assembly be repositionable atthe convenience of a user. Both the filter assembly coupling end 36 anda litter box attachment end 34 include means for fastening the conduit24. The preferred means for fastening the conduit to either a filterassembly or a animal litter box includes size fitting; that is to saythat the conduit couples to other apparatuses by being sized to barelyfit therein or thereon. The conduit, when it is a rubber hose, could bestretched to fit over a nipple. Alternatively, the filter assemblycoupling end 36 and the litter box attachment end 34 could includethreaded portions capable of fitting one onto the other.

FIG. 8 depicts a filtered animal litter box 10 embodiment of the presentinvention having an enclosure 28, a filter assembly 212, a conduit 24, afilter cartridge 322 (shown as the slide fit filter cartridge), and asubstantially silent blower 26.

The enclosure 28 is a covering that allows an animal to enter and exit,via an animal passage 30, and leave bathroom deposits within. The animalpassage 30 can be sized for a cat, rodent, or small-sized dog. There isno preferred location for the animal passage, as animals may enterenclosures in many varied ways. The enclosure can be composed of anyself-supporting material, but the preferred materials include wood andplastic.

Embodiments of the filtered animal litter box 10 may additionallyfeature a view port 40, which is preferably glass or any translucentmaterial that allows a user to view the interior of the enclosure. Otherembodiments of the filtered animal litter box 10 could include anenclosure 28 having a maintenance port 42. The maintenance port 42 is ameans for a user to rearrange, replace, or alter the contents of theenclosure 28. The preferred maintenance port 42 is pictured in FIG. 8 ascomprising two components: a latch 62 and a series of hinges 60. Thehinges 60 allow axial motion 64 of a portion of the enclosure 28 awayfrom itself. The latch 62 allows a user to lock the enclosure into astatic entity. An alternative maintenance port includes a drawer, shelf,or other like device capable of reciprocating motion to reveal contentswithin the enclosure. The drawer embodiment would be particularlyadvantageous to versions of the enclosure designed to house cat litter.

Within the enclosure 28 is a odor outlet (not shown) that allows odorsfrom the enclosure to be urged into the conduit 24. From the conduit 24,gases from the enclosure 28 are fluidly transferred to odor inlet 16 onthe casing 14 of the filter assembly 212.

The filter assembly 212 of the filtered animal litter box 10 issubstantially identical to the electrostatic filter assembly previouslydiscussed within this disclosure with the exception that the filterassembly of the animal litter box is dimensioned to accept a greatervariety of filter cartridges and accompanying filters. The filteredanimal litter box 10 pictured in FIG. 8 contains the slide fit filtercartridge 322 and a sheet filter 120. Embodiments of the filter assembly212 could include a filter assembly positioner 38, which is a devicecapable of fixing the position of the filter assembly to a householdstructure. The filter assembly positioner could be a hook (as shown inFIG. 8) for mounting from an overhang, brackets for mounting to avertical structure, or some other fastening device.

A substantially silent blower 26 is located on the present invention tourge gas from the enclosure 28 through the exhaust 18. There is nopreferred or single blower location, either in the filter assembly 212or the enclosure 28; any position capable of fulfilling the function ofurging gas from the enclosure 28 through the exhaust 18 will suffice.

FIG. 8 shows a kit of parts 110 of the present invention. The filteredanimal litter box kit 110 includes the enclosure 28, the filter assembly212, the conduit 24, the filter cartridge 122, and the substantiallysilent blower (not shown). The kit could additionally include any othercomponent of the present invention disclosed herein.

The pictured conduit 24 features the filter assembly coupling end 36 anda litter box attachment end 34 with male threaded fasteners 68 as themeans for fastening the conduit 24. The enclosure of FIG. 8 furtherdemonstrates the previously mentioned drawer maintenance port 66.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detailwith reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versionswould be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not belimited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

1. An electrostatic filter assembly for substantially eliminatingoffensive odors, said filter assembly comprising: a casing with an odorinlet and an exhaust; a substantially sheer electrostatic filter sheet,removably positioned within said casing to substantially and uniformlycontact gas flowing from said odor inlet to said exhaust, and asubstantially silent blower positioned to urge fluid communication fromsaid odor inlet through said exhaust.
 2. The electrostatic filterassembly of claim 1 further comprising a filter cartridge, removablypositionable within said filter assembly, adapted to releasably acceptsaid substantially sheer electrostatic filter sheet.
 3. Theelectrostatic filter assembly of claim 2 wherein said filter cartridgecomprises a first filter panel jointedly connected to a second filterpanel.
 4. The electrostatic filter assembly of claim 2 wherein saidfilter cartridge comprises a male filter panel removably attached to afemale filter panel.
 5. The electrostatic filter assembly of claim 1further comprising a conduit, fluidly positioned proximate to said odorinlet, having a filter assembly coupling end; and said conduit furthercomprising a litter box enclosure attachment end.
 6. The electrostaticfilter assembly of claim 5 wherein said substantially sheerelectrostatic filter sheet is pliable.
 7. A filtered animal litter boxcomprising: an enclosure defining an animal passage and an odor outlet;a filter assembly having a casing with an odor inlet and exhaust; aconduit, connected to both said odor inlet and said odor outlet,allowing fluid communication between said enclosure and said filterassembly; a filter cartridge, removably positioned within said filterassembly, adapted to releasably accept a sheet filter; and asubstantially silent blower positioned to urge fluid communication fromsaid enclosure through said exhaust.
 8. The filtered animal litter boxof claim 7 wherein said filter cartridge is adapted to releasably accepta substantially sheer electrostatic filter sheet.
 9. The filtered animallitter box of claim 7 further comprising a substantially sheetelectrostatic filter sheet removably disposed within said filtercartridge.
 10. The filtered animal litter box of claim 7 wherein saidfilter cartridge comprises a first filter panel jointedly connected to asecond filter panel.
 11. The filtered animal litter box of claim 7wherein said filter cartridge comprises a male filter panel removablyattached to a female filter panel.
 12. The filtered animal litter box ofclaim 7 wherein said conduit is composed of a flexible material.
 13. Thefiltered animal litter box of claim 12 wherein said filter assemblyincludes a filter assembly positioner.
 14. The filtered animal litterbox of claim 7 wherein said enclosure further comprises a view port. 15.The filtered animal litter box of claim 7 wherein said enclosure furthercomprises a maintenance port.
 16. The filtered animal litter box ofclaim 7 wherein said filter assembly further comprises a screenpositioned to contact gas emanating through said exhaust.
 17. Thefiltered animal litter box of claim 7 wherein said blower is a fan,affixed within said filter assembly, producing less than thirty decibelsof sound.
 18. The filtered animal litter box of claim 17 wherein saidblower is a fan producing less than ten decibels of sound.
 19. A kit ofparts for a filtered animal litter box, said kit comprising: anenclosure defining an animal passage and an odor outlet; a filterassembly having a casing with an odor inlet and exhaust; a conduit,dimensioned to connect to both said odor inlet and said odor outlet,allowing fluid communication between said enclosure and said filterassembly; a filter cartridge, dimensioned to be removably positionedwithin said filter assembly, adapted to releasably accept a sheetfilter; and a substantially silent blower positioned to urge fluidcommunication from said enclosure through said exhaust.
 20. The kit ofparts of claim 19 wherein said filter cartridge is adapted to releasablyaccept a substantially sheer electrostatic filter sheet.